Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1887-07-08
Co Moderate Benevolent AssO ciatiOns
CON MUNICATED.

COMMUNICATED.
Editors Of the Times:
Having occasion to appeal to the Societies
in Maryla and the Association of the Mary
land Line in Baltimore, in behalf of the widow
and orphan OF a deceased comrade met with
! a generous response on the part of the Associa-
ton of the Maryland Line. They accompanied
their response with the complaint that the eX-
confederate soldiers residing in the rural dis
tricts declined to connect themselves with there
Associations, and ignored their existence until
they had occasion TO invoke their aid.
! l made the best defense l could in behalf of
my rural comrades; denying any lack on inter-
est ON their part or unwillingness To perpetuate
their former association, but rather an ignorance
of the objects and purposes, aud inability to con-
{ tribute their quota toward the maintenance of
the Societies, CONSEQUENT upon the depreciation
of agricultural interests They tripped me up
effectually by showing me that they had pub
| lished in every county statement of the eX pend
iture OF the funds and oil the work done by the
Societies, and calling upon all ex-Confederate
soldiers TO join the societies. knowing that
this did not apply personally to me, for was al
ready u member, could not but feel somewhat
non piussed, and that my comrades had been
derelict in their duty.
| Though the Union soldiers have been literally
pensoned by the government, they have their
q. A. P.s 10 assist their needy comrades; how
much greater the necessity for we of the Confe,i.
crate army, who are without Pensions, to perpc-
tuate our former association, and To assist our
needy comrades and their widows and orphans
And all Confederate soldiers who truly did what
they, at that time, conceived To be their duty
should feel that this was equally incumbent III :
on thsm ana should take ~ Just pride in doing
/ it, unless they have undergone that state OF
political transformation which causes them To
feel ashamed of their record made between Isbl
and lS6o IL was peculiar Ia southern Maryland:
the inhabitants Of this section the Provost
Martial, and blockad,-running side of the war
of the actual horrors they saw them but as a far
of. They seemed incapable or unable tn meas
ure the courage or endurance displayed by the
seven hundred thousand who for four years op-
posed the two million eight hundred thousand Of
the Federal army IL made feel somew hat
like returning prodigals, a. having been engaged
In an Improbable job while it was best not TO
mention. II We could helpit. IL had a tendency
to depreciate our achievements during the war
in our own estimation. But as long ~ the dar-
ing bravery OF the Maryland soldier Is ~ con-
splciously recorded in the history OF Gettysburg
/ Cold Harbor, Cedar Mountain and the Valley
Campaigns we will not entertain such feeling
but rather without any affcctation of modestV
accept the laurel the world accoris Us, aud cher
IRISH the memory and association of the men who
helped to make that record and be ever willing
to succor the widows and orphans OF those who
have since fallen by the wayside. To become "A
member OF the Ass4 ciation of the Ma, land Line
mo iniaion or annual dues are charged but all
! members no able psected To contrib
uate one dollar on Joining and the Sams amount
annually" Blank forms of application for MEM
bership can be obtained nv addressing j. H.
Wheeler. ) Pustoffiee Avenue. baltimore Md.
CONFEDERATE